There is undoubtedly no boy band in the world like ALAMAT. Where most boy bands aim for a kind of predictable sameness, the six-member Philippine pop (P-pop) group has a different kind of goal: to authentically represent Southeast Asian culture, to be brave in the things they stand up for, and honestly, to be Brown as fuck and damn proud of it.

Since their debut in 2021, the P-pop group—consisting of members Alas, Jao, Mo, R-Ji, Taneo, and Tomas—has been singularly dedicated to producing a sonic movement exemplifying Philippine representation. Their commitment to showcasing their home country shows up in everything from the diversity of band members, to their culturally referenced gender-expansive fashion styles, to the social commentary in their music videos.

“ALAMAT in English means ‘Legends,’ which can mean two things,” says Jao in a recent Zoom interview with JoySauce. “First, legends are stories, stories that you can tell to the younger generation, which we aim to do the same with everything that we do through our music. And second, legends can also be people who are seen as icons, and we also aim to be that in the future.”

NO ONE SHOULD RECEIVE ANYTHING LIKE THIS' Fans of P-pop boy group, ALAMAT, were quick to defend its member, Jao, after he shared a netizen's message concerning his gender expression.

"[Jao,] alam ko po na bakla ka[.] Sana po mapigilan n'yo po kasi ayaw ko po ikaw maalis sa group po [please] po,", the message read.

"HAHAHAHAHA emeh," the P-pop idol reacted."You don't have to label or change anything about yourself. I love you," a fan wrote to Jao.